MIDASS (MIcrobial Detection in Air System for Space) is part of the program for the development of a miniaturized, automated systems for sampling and monitoring the microbiological quality of air and surfaces. The program addresses several application domains. Space related short-term application is the environmental control of clean rooms used for robot assembly, whereas long-term applications refer to long-duration space flight (i.e. crew safety and hardware integrity). Spin-off ground application are the rapid air and surface monitoring to ensure safety of sterile pharmaceutical products (e.g. vaccines), and environmental control in critical areas in hospitals (e.g. hematology, sterile foods, etc.)